Stars out to douse Malawi’s Flames

The Flames of Malawi have proven to be too hot for Harambee Stars to extinguish in recent times.

In June, Kinnah Phiri’s charges frustrated an entire nation when they held Stars to a barren draw in their opening World Cup qualifier in a match Malawi could have gone ahead and won.

Kenya have not doused The Flames in their last eight meeting and on Tuesday, James Nandwa who has done a sterling job deputising for Henri Michel at the CECAFA Tusker Cup comes up against the plucky Malawians in their quarter final.

Waiting for either side in the semi are Zanzibar, who prevailed on post match penalties against Burundi, who face Kenya’s other team in a African Home Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier on Saturday in Nairobi.

Midfielder David Ochieng who has netted twice against Southern Sudan and Ethiopia and Rama Salim who scored against the latter face late fitness test ahead of the quarterfinal clash.

This is the first time in three editions that Kenya, the five-time winners of the regional trophy, have wriggled out of the group stages of the tournament.

“The players are off the back of a good display in their last match so they are very confident and are looking forward to the game.

“We have some extra time to prepare since we last played on Friday which is good news. Hopefully we will have rested well enough to give a good display,” the soft-spoken Nandwa told SuperSport.com.

His opposite number, Phiri admitted the pressure was getting to his side who need a nervy 3-2 win over Eritrea to book their place in the last eight.

He had indicated his tenure with the side could have ended had they lost the match and buoyed by the rescue act, Phiri is counting on his boys to once again harass the Kenyans.

Coverage starts at 3:30pm local time on SuperSport 9 East.